Hello friends, I am looking forward to seeing you Wednesday. I'm had a very rough week and weekend. I'm wondering if our Artists way work is adding to it. We are always dreaming, setting goals, looking ahead and taking baby steps. All of this is adding to my newly-re emerged feelings of inadequacy.
One thing that is pretty overwhelming is all of the activities at the end of the chapters. I wonder how you would all feel about postponing those until our time together. I think that would really work for me. Thoughts? Ann
Monday, October 15, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Because you're a creative badass...
Interesting blog, passed along to me, now passing along to you...
http://justinemusk.com/2012/09/23/being-creative/
http://justinemusk.com/2012/09/23/being-creative/
Monday, September 17, 2012
This Thursday September 20th
Hello Juicy Creatives,
Just a quick note saying I'd be happy to host this week, if that works for everyone.
Address is - 1320 Wilson St (that's North Menomonie)
I'll provide some wine, kombucha, tea and nibbles - wine people what's your preferred color - white or red?
Does the 6-7:30 time work for ya'all this week?
See you soon!
Tracy
A few musings that stirred me in the past few days:
"Feel the power and the freshness of your now: You decipher the contrast. You know what you don’t want. You send out your rocket of desire of what you do want, and now you stand in a fresh new place; you want in a fresh way that you have never wanted before. And that’s what life is. In that fresh wanting, you summon another dose of Energy. If you can begin to savor the mere fact that you have desire right now, and you would stop trying so hard to have that desire be fulfilled and manifested in some physical format, then you would have it." ~ Abraham/Hicks
"I am a frayed and nibbled survivor in a fallen world, and I am getting along. I am aging and eaten and have done my share of eating too. I am not washed and beautiful, in control of a shining world in which everything fits, but instead am wondering awed about on a splintered wreck I've come to care for, whose gnawed trees breathe a delicate air, whose bloodied and scarred creatures are my dearest companions, and whose beauty bats and shines not in its imperfections but overwhelmingly in spite of them."
—Annie Dillard
Just a quick note saying I'd be happy to host this week, if that works for everyone.
Address is - 1320 Wilson St (that's North Menomonie)
I'll provide some wine, kombucha, tea and nibbles - wine people what's your preferred color - white or red?
Does the 6-7:30 time work for ya'all this week?
See you soon!
Tracy
A few musings that stirred me in the past few days:
"Feel the power and the freshness of your now: You decipher the contrast. You know what you don’t want. You send out your rocket of desire of what you do want, and now you stand in a fresh new place; you want in a fresh way that you have never wanted before. And that’s what life is. In that fresh wanting, you summon another dose of Energy. If you can begin to savor the mere fact that you have desire right now, and you would stop trying so hard to have that desire be fulfilled and manifested in some physical format, then you would have it." ~ Abraham/Hicks
"I am a frayed and nibbled survivor in a fallen world, and I am getting along. I am aging and eaten and have done my share of eating too. I am not washed and beautiful, in control of a shining world in which everything fits, but instead am wondering awed about on a splintered wreck I've come to care for, whose gnawed trees breathe a delicate air, whose bloodied and scarred creatures are my dearest companions, and whose beauty bats and shines not in its imperfections but overwhelmingly in spite of them."
—Annie Dillard
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Big Challenge
Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend with time to explore the artists core.
Thanks to all of you for helping me to dig in and commit to this experiment. I feel some new roots and tiny green shoots.
Reading the AW guidelines, I noticed the recommendation that each week in addition to reporting on our progress in general, we share the answers to questions and exercises (Tasks). We did a bit of that last week and I'd like to do more of that sort of sharing.
As for the Week 4 suggestion that this week I deprive myself of reading @#%! yikes! - Yes my sly reading habits include reading a long list of delicious material from the ridiculous to the sublime - (no Dunn County News?) rather then taking some sort of action be it artistic or something else. How did she know the role reading plays in my recovery !!!! So, with some trepidation, I'll take a try.
Owwwwie.
Looking forward to Thursday's get-together.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Check-in Week Two
Hi, everyone. My apologies for my tardiness in posting. I went home early with brutal allergies on Thursday, and I overestimated both my energy level and access to internet while traveling yesterday for the funeral.
I read the chapter and did most of the assignments. I was present to how I have eliminated most of the crazymakers in my life over the past several years. The list used to be long! I completed my artist pages six of the seven days. I went to a pottery shop for my artist date. It was great to explore, but I went late in the day and the owner was trying to close up shop. I felt rushed, and I hate that. I am adding another artist date this week, because I didn't do one my first week.
Focusing on self-care this weekend. Though it was good to see all my relatives, the funeral was exhausting, and I'm relieved to be back home. This afternoon I am spending time with a couple of my kids from the theater company where I used to work. Tomorrow I am spending time with a dear friend, going for a walk, and seeing a dance concert.
Have a wonderful, relaxing weekend. Looking forward to seeing everyone at Ann's on Tuesday!
Amy
I read the chapter and did most of the assignments. I was present to how I have eliminated most of the crazymakers in my life over the past several years. The list used to be long! I completed my artist pages six of the seven days. I went to a pottery shop for my artist date. It was great to explore, but I went late in the day and the owner was trying to close up shop. I felt rushed, and I hate that. I am adding another artist date this week, because I didn't do one my first week.
Focusing on self-care this weekend. Though it was good to see all my relatives, the funeral was exhausting, and I'm relieved to be back home. This afternoon I am spending time with a couple of my kids from the theater company where I used to work. Tomorrow I am spending time with a dear friend, going for a walk, and seeing a dance concert.
Have a wonderful, relaxing weekend. Looking forward to seeing everyone at Ann's on Tuesday!
Amy
Friday, August 31, 2012
An Ebbing Week?
Hello,
Okay, here I am checking in, Friday afternoon, hot sun raining in the window. I was off like the shot early in our week - I was home alone last weekend, so I read the chapter and did all the exercises and now can't recall a thing...but there are notes.
What I learned from the exercises is that I feel fairly supported in my artistic endeavors, though there is still a part of me that feels it was 'easier' to explore this living elsewhere...ie, more progressive or larger communities (anonymity can be a powerful permission slip for expression). I also learned that slowly but surely, like a slow, more mature, mostly sure footed goat I am progressing up the mountain of my various goals. I truly believe there's a powerful ration of both our intentions and our attention to what we manifest and create.
I did 6 out of 7 days of morning pages - I know they are useful, oh yes, and sometimes I feel like a small child stuck with a chore (what's up with that). I'm not sure I'm surprised but I often found myself making lists and lists...the plan, the project, the piece, lists dreaming the dream of what I desire; artistically, personally and professionally - more and more there is little or no separation between these. I like lists :)
The creative bubbles are flowing less this week (like Marion I can attest to the power of the Big Lake and a little spaciousness to stir the pot and those creative impulses flow - this was up for me our first week). So this week was more of an ebbing space perhaps, more integration of those bubbles into a gestational space.
Artist date - I did write out letter and postcards. It wasn't very frivolous...so I'd like to up the anty (sp) on frivolous...I already see some good juice, meat and inquiry in this area. I can be supremely silly...but frivolity is a bit buried...I can be too serious, to intense to freakin' deep....
The last note worthy piece for me was noticing the value (or not) of discrimination. The value of discerning where I want to put my attention, it's kind of like intentionally prioritizing where and when I pull out all the stops and let it rip creatively and when it's okay to use less of that. This is still an unfinished line of thought...
Okay that's me! Have a lovely weekend and thank you - I am very happy to know you and be sharing this experience with you :)
Cheers,
Tracy
Okay, here I am checking in, Friday afternoon, hot sun raining in the window. I was off like the shot early in our week - I was home alone last weekend, so I read the chapter and did all the exercises and now can't recall a thing...but there are notes.
What I learned from the exercises is that I feel fairly supported in my artistic endeavors, though there is still a part of me that feels it was 'easier' to explore this living elsewhere...ie, more progressive or larger communities (anonymity can be a powerful permission slip for expression). I also learned that slowly but surely, like a slow, more mature, mostly sure footed goat I am progressing up the mountain of my various goals. I truly believe there's a powerful ration of both our intentions and our attention to what we manifest and create.
I did 6 out of 7 days of morning pages - I know they are useful, oh yes, and sometimes I feel like a small child stuck with a chore (what's up with that). I'm not sure I'm surprised but I often found myself making lists and lists...the plan, the project, the piece, lists dreaming the dream of what I desire; artistically, personally and professionally - more and more there is little or no separation between these. I like lists :)
The creative bubbles are flowing less this week (like Marion I can attest to the power of the Big Lake and a little spaciousness to stir the pot and those creative impulses flow - this was up for me our first week). So this week was more of an ebbing space perhaps, more integration of those bubbles into a gestational space.
Artist date - I did write out letter and postcards. It wasn't very frivolous...so I'd like to up the anty (sp) on frivolous...I already see some good juice, meat and inquiry in this area. I can be supremely silly...but frivolity is a bit buried...I can be too serious, to intense to freakin' deep....
The last note worthy piece for me was noticing the value (or not) of discrimination. The value of discerning where I want to put my attention, it's kind of like intentionally prioritizing where and when I pull out all the stops and let it rip creatively and when it's okay to use less of that. This is still an unfinished line of thought...
Okay that's me! Have a lovely weekend and thank you - I am very happy to know you and be sharing this experience with you :)
Cheers,
Tracy
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Blocking vs Unblocking
I'm back, eager to hear from all of you
A great boost to my soul and to my creative connections to have enjoyed12 full days immersed in simply being on the shore of Lake Superior --listening to the wind, the water, watching the moon dance on the water, building a Fairy House for my grand daughters, playing my flutes out across the bouncing water. My artist dates: a trip across the Chequagamon Bay to hear Tracy tell stories at the Madeline Island Library and a visit to the Cornucopia home of visual artist Sally Bowker, a woman whose persistent creative efforts have always inspired me were both the perfect gifts to myself and to this process.
I had a realization of the connection between morning pages and my dreams - on at least one night, what I wrote resulted in a vivid dream, unsettling, unresolved stuff rising, unclogging the pathways.
The suggested assignments are focusing, sometimes irritating! however, I am beginning to see how the program is helping me to re-write my list of what I have to do every day and to make room for creative experiences. Smart.
And I am very thankful for the suggested ways to quiet my inner critic, a sharp and persistent voice,and to identify voices other then my own that are not supportive as I move forward.
Ann, thanks for setting up the blog. It's a neat little package!
So in the theater, blocking tells the story; in Artists Way, "un-blocking," creates a new story.
Checking in Blue Moon Eve
Hello Wonders,
I am starting to hear so much...must be opening up to the voices of my spirit guides, The Creator, all of your spirits, my own intuition and the words of our author. It's been a full week!
The week was full of many different feelings and an overall feeling of movement. Several times, I heard my own intuitive or brave voice tell me what to do...or challenge me. And I honored it by listening. Unfortunately, I also had a difficult time doing what I told myself to do. One morning, I woke up and set 4 goals upon waking...and did just the opposite of two of them within the hour. I was going to move more (I did do some elliptical walking). I was going to be nicer to our dog even though I have written her off. Bob has been gone and, though Emily has been walking her each day, she needs much more and was pretty naughty. Negative attention better than none. But, after I did a bunch of nice things for her in the morning and spoke to her lovingly, she stole and began to eat my sunglasses. As usual, she thought "drop it" is a game you play to make Ann chase you around the kitchen. I lost it,,,again. I was also going to avoid talking about people behind their back and I failed over and over. At the end of the day, I asked myself why I needed to avoid that kind of talk. I summized it is because of 1. A frequent feeling of loneliness and a great desire to connect with people, 2. A need to process feelings that might have been stirred up by someone and 3. Because I have so many bad thoughts about who I am, I expect perfection from others.
Today, I started the day by saying "I will not try to be something today. I will just be and I invite the creator in. It was a much better day than most have been lately. I liked the staff of my least favorite school, appreciating all the small gestures of smiles, laughter, honesty, comforting, giving. I chose to embark on a potentially uncomfortable discussion for the purpose of clearing the air and it allowed for much relief. I avoided sugar and I took a long walk to start the day...with Nali (the dog).
I have done my artist's pages every day. My artist's date will be Saturday but I'm counting that for this week so I can have another one in the middle of next week!
I read our chapter and did the assignments, I didn't really relate to the crazy maker stuff, I loved the direction for the week to make an effort to be open minded. And, I adored the idea of getting through life by paying attention. Lovely. I will hold that image of Julia sitting on the hill in her sweater in the moonlight after her mom died for a long time. Guess I was paying attention!
I will stop there lest you call me a crazymaker! I do want to share my excitement, before I close, that I bought w book called The Artist's Date book which I'm eager to share with you. And, from a favorite little book of mine called "The Woman's book of Empowerment," I leave you with this affirmation: "I am filled with an unlimited, inexhaustible supply of divine love. There is no greater love than the love that created my soul. My divine creator fills me with power. I am comfortable knowing that I am loved for who I am because I am a unique expression of creation. I am in love with my true self." Charlene M. Proctor
I am starting to hear so much...must be opening up to the voices of my spirit guides, The Creator, all of your spirits, my own intuition and the words of our author. It's been a full week!
The week was full of many different feelings and an overall feeling of movement. Several times, I heard my own intuitive or brave voice tell me what to do...or challenge me. And I honored it by listening. Unfortunately, I also had a difficult time doing what I told myself to do. One morning, I woke up and set 4 goals upon waking...and did just the opposite of two of them within the hour. I was going to move more (I did do some elliptical walking). I was going to be nicer to our dog even though I have written her off. Bob has been gone and, though Emily has been walking her each day, she needs much more and was pretty naughty. Negative attention better than none. But, after I did a bunch of nice things for her in the morning and spoke to her lovingly, she stole and began to eat my sunglasses. As usual, she thought "drop it" is a game you play to make Ann chase you around the kitchen. I lost it,,,again. I was also going to avoid talking about people behind their back and I failed over and over. At the end of the day, I asked myself why I needed to avoid that kind of talk. I summized it is because of 1. A frequent feeling of loneliness and a great desire to connect with people, 2. A need to process feelings that might have been stirred up by someone and 3. Because I have so many bad thoughts about who I am, I expect perfection from others.
Today, I started the day by saying "I will not try to be something today. I will just be and I invite the creator in. It was a much better day than most have been lately. I liked the staff of my least favorite school, appreciating all the small gestures of smiles, laughter, honesty, comforting, giving. I chose to embark on a potentially uncomfortable discussion for the purpose of clearing the air and it allowed for much relief. I avoided sugar and I took a long walk to start the day...with Nali (the dog).
I have done my artist's pages every day. My artist's date will be Saturday but I'm counting that for this week so I can have another one in the middle of next week!
I read our chapter and did the assignments, I didn't really relate to the crazy maker stuff, I loved the direction for the week to make an effort to be open minded. And, I adored the idea of getting through life by paying attention. Lovely. I will hold that image of Julia sitting on the hill in her sweater in the moonlight after her mom died for a long time. Guess I was paying attention!
I will stop there lest you call me a crazymaker! I do want to share my excitement, before I close, that I bought w book called The Artist's Date book which I'm eager to share with you. And, from a favorite little book of mine called "The Woman's book of Empowerment," I leave you with this affirmation: "I am filled with an unlimited, inexhaustible supply of divine love. There is no greater love than the love that created my soul. My divine creator fills me with power. I am comfortable knowing that I am loved for who I am because I am a unique expression of creation. I am in love with my true self." Charlene M. Proctor
Monday, August 27, 2012
Hey Creatives! I'm just exploring the options and functions on this blog...it's pretty cool - thanks again Ann :)
I think I can link to a website and add images -like this one of Marion blowing bubbles...
Enjoy your week!
Cheers,
tracy
This is Ann. I am testing how you comment on a post. For this, I clicked the pencil, then typed my words after the other post. Next, I am going to click update to the right above.
Enjoy your week!
Cheers,
tracy
This is Ann. I am testing how you comment on a post. For this, I clicked the pencil, then typed my words after the other post. Next, I am going to click update to the right above.
Susan's Goals
First of all, thanks, Ann, for setting up and figuring out how to use the blog!
My goals are to learn how to nourish the "artist within", to make room in my life for more focused creative activity, and to connect with others who value and celebrate their creativity.
My goals are to learn how to nourish the "artist within", to make room in my life for more focused creative activity, and to connect with others who value and celebrate their creativity.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Ann's goals
Hello fellow artists,
I am hoping, by reading The Artist's Way again, meeting with all of you lovely spirits and treating myself to the practices, I will break through some of the self-imposed blocks I have developed by working too much and losing touch with how to play. I hope, also, to lose fear and become more mindful. Finally, I hope to nurture the artist within who is working with children and stories and who may develop other work as time goes on.
Ann
Friday, August 17, 2012
Security
This blog has been we up to only be open to members so we should be able to comment openly if I have done everything correctly. We can all share our goals now. I see this blog has been viewed 18 times today...is it you who have been here?
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Welcome fellow artists!
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